You may have heard people say that “Mormons are not Christians because they have their own Bible, the Book of Mormon.” To anyone harboring this misconception, we say that we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and the author of our salvation and that we believe, revere, and love the Holy Bible. We do have additional sacred scripture, including the Book of Mormon, but it supports the Bible, never substituting for it.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable” (2 Timothy 3:16). We love the Bible and other scriptures. That may be surprising to some who may not be aware of our belief in the Bible as the revealed word of God. It is one of the pillars of our faith, a powerful witness of the Savior and of Christ’s ongoing influence in the lives of those who worship and follow Him. The more we read and study the Bible and its teachings, the more clearly we see the doctrinal underpinnings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Mormon does not dilute nor diminish nor de-emphasize the Bible. On the contrary, it expands, extends, and exalts it. The Book of Mormon testifies of the Bible, and both testify of Christ.

The first testament of Christ is the Bible’s Old Testament, which predicted and prophesied of the coming of the Savior, His transcendent life, and His liberating Atonement.

The second Bible testament of Christ is the New Testament, which records His birth, His life, His ministry, His gospel, His Church, His Atonement, and His Resurrection, as well as the testimonies of His Apostles.

The third testament of Christ is the Book of Mormon, which also foretells Christ’s coming, confirms the Bible’s account of His saving Atonement, and then reveals the resurrected Lord’s visit to the earth’s other hemisphere. The subtitle of the Book of Mormon, the clarifying purpose statement printed on the cover of every copy, is “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.”

Each of these three testaments is a part of the great, indivisible whole of the Lord’s revealed word to His children. They contain the words of Christ, which we have been admonished to feast upon as a means of qualifying for eternal life. Those who think that one part is more important or more true than the other parts are missing some of the beauty and completeness of the canon of ancient scripture.

And those who think that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not believe in Jesus Christ or in the Bible should take time to understand the Church, the significance of its name, and the power of its message.”

The simple answer to this is yes, Mormons do fast. Mormons recognize one Sunday each month (typically the 1st Sunday) as “Fast Sunday.” While it is ultimately up to the individual on the length of the fast, Church leaders advise that church members go without food or drink for approximately 24 hours. In lieu of eating on Fast Sunday, a “offering” is paid to the church that is used for helping the poor or those with short-term needs.

Fasting is often also coupled with prayer during challenging times or when needing to make a major decision as Mormons seek to gain extra help or inspiration from a loving Heavenly Father. Fasting is not easy and requires a great deal of faith. Through prayer and fasting, Mormons find their faith in Jesus Christ and his gospel can be strengthened significantly. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, an Apostle of the LDS Church has said this: “We observe that in the scriptures, fasting almost always is linked with prayer. Without prayer, fasting is not complete fasting; it’s simply going hungry. If we want our fasting to be more than just going without eating, we must lift our hearts, our minds, and our voices in communion with our Heavenly Father. Fasting, coupled with mighty prayer, is powerful. It can fill our minds with the revelations of the Spirit. It can strengthen us against times of temptation.”

Fasting also has been show to have health benefits. Studies conducted by various sources have indicated benefits at varying levels which can include: stress resistance, increased insulin sensitivity, reduced morbidity, and increased life span.

As with most things, Jesus Christ led by example in showing the importance of incorporating fasting, The Savior has said to those who fast properly “Thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” (Matthew 6:18)

In summary, fasting has always been a core part of Mormon beliefs and has many physical and spiritual benefits to those who practice it.

When do Mormons go to church? That is a simple question, and the simple answer would be; Mormons go the church every Sunday for a three hour block. However, that only answers part of the question. Full participation in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints involves much more. To give you a small glimpse into the expectations of a member of the church, let me quote from a recent talk given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency in General Conference October 2013. Said he:

“Once there was a man who dreamed that he was in a great hall where all the religions of the world were gathered. He realized that each religion had much that seemed desirable and worthy.

He met a nice couple who represented The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and asked, “What do you require of your members?”

“We do not require anything,” they replied. “But the Lord asks that we consecrate all.”

The couple went on to explain about Church callings, home and visiting teaching, full-time missions, weekly family home evenings, temple work, welfare and humanitarian service, and assignments to teach.

“Do you pay your people for all the work they do?” the man asked.

“Oh, no,” the couple explained. “They offer their time freely.”

“Also,” the couple continued, “every six months our Church members spend a weekend attending or watching 10 hours of general conference.”

“Ten hours of people giving talks?” the man wondered.

“What about your weekly church services? How long are they?”

“Three hours, every Sunday!”

“Oh, my,” the man said. “Do members of your church actually do what you have said?”

“That and more. We haven’t even mentioned family history, youth camps, devotionals, scripture study, leadership training, youth activities, early-morning seminary, maintaining Church buildings, and of course there is the Lord’s law of health, the monthly fast to help the poor, and tithing.”

All of this is affirmed in a nationwide study which concluded that active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “volunteer and donate significantly more than the average American and are even more generous in time and money than the upper [20 percent] of religious people in America.” (Ram Cnaan and others, “Called to Serve: The Prosocial Behavior of Active Latter-day Saints” (page16) It is my belief that sacrifice of our time is a small price to pay for the blessings that are promised to those who serve others, obey the commandments and endure to the end.

As with many who follow Jesus Christ, and who try to keep his commandments, Mormons consider Sunday to be a holy day, a day to pause, leave the cares of the world behind and focus on God, family and personal progress and growth.

As with members of other religions, Mormons keep the Sabbath holy by attending church, partaking of the sacrament of the Lords Supper, and studying the teachings of Jesus as found in the Bible.

In addition to these activities, Mormons also consider Sunday to be a day to spend time with family, enjoying one another’s company and strengthening family associations and the love we have for one another.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) believe that “the Lord has given the Sabbath day for [our] benefit and has commanded [us] to keep it holy.”1

One of our leaders, James E. Faust, speaking on the Sabbath taught the following regarding the keeping the Sabbath day holy:

“In this day of increasing access to and preoccupation with materialism, there is a sure protection for ourselves and our children against the [spiritual] plagues of our day. The key to that sure protection surprisingly can be found in Sabbath observance: ‘And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day.’

Who can question but that sincere Sabbath observance will help keep ourselves unspotted from the world? The injunction to keep the Sabbath day holy is a continuing covenant between God and his elect. The Lord told Moses and the children of Israel, ‘Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations…for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever.’ (Exo. 31:13-17)

What is worthy or unworthy on the Sabbath day will have to be judged by each of us by trying to be honest with the Lord. On the Sabbath day we should do what we have to do and what we ought to do in an attitude of worshipfulness and then limit our other activities.”2

I recently responded to someone online who wrote: “I must take issue with your church’s teaching on celestial marriage. It is written: “…they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like the angels in heaven.” [Mark 12:25] Sorry, but either the Bible is right or the LDS church is right; it can’t be both.”

For the reader who is unfamiliar with our doctrine, the LDS church believes that if a person is married in a temple, by one holding the priesthood “sealing” power, that marriage will continue after this life and for all eternity and allow them to receive the highest blessings of eternity. Here is my response.

“Whether or not you accept LDS doctrinal beliefs is up to you but I would like to at least try to clarify where they come from if you don’t mind reading this. I apologize for the length but I think it’s necessary to explain our doctrine.

In Matthew 16, after Peter answered Christ that he was the Son of God, Jesus gave him a special power. He said, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt lose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matt 16:19)

So, what if Peter bound a marriage on earth? Would it still be bound in heaven? It must be, or what good is such power? What else would be bound here and there?

Let me ask this another way. Is gender eternal? When God said in Genesis 1:26, “Let *us* make man in *our* image, after *our* likeness,” whose image was Eve made in since we know that Jesus is a male? We believe in the LDS faith that we not only have a Father in heaven, but a Mother also, else where would women be patterned from and what purpose would there be for gender in the resurrection?

Are we the “children” of God as Paul taught in Romans 8:16? Certainly. Sons and daughters. God challenged Job to recall his pre-mortal life asking him where he was at the creation of the earth when the “sons of God” shouted for joy (Job 38:7). If there were sons, certainly there were daughters as well, else there would be no purpose in mentioning sons to Job.

In the LDS faith, we believe we are all children of God that lived with him before this life and came to earth for a special purpose to gain a body and be tested outside his presence. Part of this experience as children, is to learn to be spiritual adults and tap into the righteousness in Christ that will allow us to be “joint-heirs” with Christ (Romans 8:16 again).

So to your scripture on neither marrying or giving in marriage in heaven, we need to look at this in the context of the audience to whom it was said, as well as in the light of a full picture of God’s doctrine. Otherwise, it is confusing to try and isolate that one statement with other knowledge that might contradict it.

In Mark 12:18 this episode is prefaced with a statement that the Sadducees were the audience and they did not believe in the resurrection. A false doctrine, and one that leads to an afterlife that doesn’t contain eternal life, which in the LDS faith is defined as a man and woman, sealed by the binding power of the priesthood which Jesus gave Peter. The Sadducees would not partake of this opportunity in life because of their beliefs. Therefore when they challenged Christ on the story of whose wife of the seven brethren she would be in the resurrection, they were doing so from a position of “there is no resurrection, and these 7 brothers believe like we do.” Their final destiny isn’t to be married for eternity, but “are as the [unmarried] angels which are in heaven” (Mark 12:25).

In the Doctrine and Covenants (a book that contains revelations given to Joseph Smith) the Lord further explains Mark 12:25, saying in D&C 132:15-17, “Therefore, if a man marry him a wife in the world, and he marry her not by me nor by my word [ie. the binding/sealing power of the priesthood], and he covenant with her so long as he is in the world and she with him [ie. “till death do you part”], their covenant and marriage are not of force when they are dead, and when they are out of the world; therefore, they are not bound by any law when they are out of the world. Therefore, when they are out of the world they neither marry nor are given in marriage; but are appointed angels in heaven, which angels are ministering servants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory. For these angels did not abide my law; therefore, they cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity; and from henceforth are not gods, but are angels of God forever and ever.”

So whether or not you agree with this doctrine, I hope you can at least see there is a logical and consistent basis for our belief, and it is founded in Biblical principles.

Again, if I may, I invite you to read this single chapter from the Book of Mormon and point out any flaw you feel it has. The book is full of such chapters testifying of Christ. I hope you will as I am genuinely interested in your opinion.

Last week I responded to a post online from someone who said that the Bible is the only valid scripture we can have because in Revelation 22:18-19 it says anyone who adds to or takes from the scriptures will come under the judgments of God. This was my response.

“You’re right that if anyone adds or takes away from the Word of God they will incur God’s wrath. However, the book of Revelation reference here is speaking about the Book of Revelation, not the Bible. The book of Revelation was written hundreds of years before the Bible was even compiled as a collection of books, and before some of the other books of the Bible were written. If you want to take this passage literally, then you have to take the very similar reference in Deuteronomy 4:2 that Moses made as literal as well and discard everything after that book. The fact is, these prophets were talking about changing the word of God, adding to or taking away from the meaning. It doesn’t discard any other writings. The Bible mentions several other books that were written by prophets and seers such as the book of Jasher, book of Nathan the prophet, Shemaiah the prophet, Iddo the prophet, Jehu, Gad, Enoch, , etc… We don’t have those books in the Bible, but if God suddenly provided these to us, we wouldn’t just cast them away. As someone once told me, Mormons just believe God has more words in his mouth than others. The Book of Mormon is a record of a different set of prophets in the Americas that God communicated with and they wrote it down as scripture. The two records compliment each other. If you haven’t read the Book of Mormon, it’s an amazing book testifying of the divinity of Christ. Together with the Bible it provides a 2nd witness that Jesus is the Christ. I encourage you to not take my word for it, find out for yourself. Here’s one example. It’s a chapter in the Book of Mormon. I encourage you to see if there isn’t something here to consider.https://www.lds.org/scriptures…“

Life throws challenges at us. There is no way around them, only through them. Some are minor, but some can be harsh and painful. Sometimes these challenges are of our own creation by poor choices we’ve made, and sometimes they are given to us by God for reasons we can’t presently see. God himself didn’t immunize himself from suffering. In Hebrews 5:8 we read of Jesus:

“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;”

He set the example of perfect obedience in every circumstance of life he journeyed through. He knew we would have to endure some rugged trials in life in order to be tested to see if we would hold faithful to the end of our lives and be found worthy children to return to our heavenly home. God intends to make us into his image for a higher purpose, and part of transcending this world is through the lessons we learn from suffering.

Does God want us to suffer?

God doesn’t inflict harsh trials on us to watch us suffer. There is always a higher purpose in the trial when God brings the trial upon us. For example, many families deal with a difficult illness in the family or the death of a child. Why? Because when we are in the heat of the furnace of affliction, our spiritual strength can grow faster due to the refining power of a trial. We have a choice to turn to God or turn away. If we turn away and suffer just for the sake of suffering through the trial, we don’t grow. But if we use that opportunity to turn to God and allow His love to permeate our souls, we can gain knowledge, wisdom, and compassion that will aid us in becoming closer to God and in our capacity to serve others in their times of need. It can bring about godly changes in our lives to experience what others are going through so that we can succor them in their infirmities.

Hebrews 5:2 “Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.”

From the Book of Mormon we read of the command to take care of others out of the compassion of our hearts.

Mosiah 4:16 “And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.”

Finally, by turning to God in our sufferings and allowing him to change us, we will bring about the necessary sanctification of our hearts that leads us back into His presence.

D&C 109:76 That our garments may be pure, that we may be clothed upon with robes of righteousness, with palms in our hands, and crowns of glory upon our heads, and reap eternal joy for all our sufferings.

To those who are suffering through a sore trial, I would encourage you to turn to God in prayer. Seek His direction. Let His spirit comfort you in your affliction and in spite of the outcome of your trial, you will be blessed and have a witness of God’s eternal love for you. Your faith will be strengthen and you will know that your suffering was not in vain, but brought you a blessing more precious than gold.

1 Peter 1:7 “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ”

Click here to obtain a free copy of the Book of Mormon and learn of God’s love for all His children. There is no obligation and the knowledge of this companion book to the Bible may just change your life.

Do Mormons believe in Dinosaurs?

What young child hasn’t been fascinated by dinosaur skeletons, or jumped in their seat watching Jurassic Park? Dinosaurs are fascinating on a number of levels. I assume this question relates to the nature of what is the history of the earth and do Mormons believe in a scientific view of the fossil record.

Members of the LDS church do believe in the fossil record. I mean, it’s right there in the open for everyone to see, especially in Utah, which I think is one of the dinosaur capitols of the world (if there is such a thing). Thanksgiving Point has an incredible museum full of enormous skeletons and hands on exhibits which are loads of fun for the kids.

Personally, I’m not aware of any statements from church leaders in particular about dinosaurs, but there are statements about evolution. The LDS church teaches that Adam and Eve were the first man and woman on this earth and were created by God in his image approximately 6,000 years ago. What happened prior to that time is a matter of speculation in the absence of direct revelation on the matter.

I have speculated in another post titled “How did God create the world?” on how it’s possible for God to create the world in 7 days and yet have the temporal timeline be millions or billions of years. During that time it is easy to believe God let dinosaurs roam the earth and go extinct to help provide fossil fuels for us today, and marvel at the enormous creations he made.

Do Mormons eat Chocolate?

Within the Mormon church, we have what we call “The Word of Wisdom” which is a health code the church received in 1833. Zebedee Coltrin was one who was present when Joseph Smith received this revelation and he later recorded:

“When the Word of Wisdom was first presented by the Prophet Joseph…there were twenty out of the twenty-one who used tobacco and they all immediately threw their tobacco and pipes into the fire.” (Minutes, Salt Lake City School of Prophets, 3 Oct. 1883, p. 56.)

What is the Word of Wisdom and why is it called that?

The revelation begins unlike any other revelation, as counsel, but not a commandment. However, as can be seen above, the brethren present took God’s counsel as serious as if it were a commandment.

Doctrine & Covenants 89

1 A WORD OF WISDOM, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion-
2 To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days-

The revelation continues by counseling members of the church on things to avoid, things to partake of, and a promise as to the benefits of doing this.

Do Mormons drink alcohol?

Among the things Mormons don’t partake of, the following were specifically listed:

Alcohol

Tobacco

Coffee

Tea

Among the things we are told to partake of:

Wholesome herbs

Grains (specifically mentioned wheat)

Fruit

Meat, sparingly, and in times of winter or famine

The promise to members of the church for so doing is as follows:

18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;
19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.
21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.

Essentially, by following this counsel, a person will have a clearer mind due to better health. With a clearer mind and obedience to God’s commandments, it is easier to receive revelation and knowledge from God. The ultimate promise is that if you follow this counsel, it is like following the counsel the children of Israel were given to put lamb’s blood on their door posts for protection when the destroying angel swept through Egypt and killed the first born. It’s an act of obedience that brings protection.

So do Mormons eat chocolate? Yes

Do Mormons eat pork? Yes

Do Mormons eat ice cream, pizza, and pretty much anything they want? Yes

We just try to avoid things that are addictive or and bad for the body and mind. This is a word of wisdom. It is just good counsel for people to live by to be healthier and more in tune with the spirit of the Lord. It is good counsel for all people.

How do Mormons worship?

There are two things being asked by this question. The first is the spiritual, and the second is the physical or where we go and what we do.

Spiritual-what we worship and why

The word worship means love or devotion to deity. In another sense, it means to imitate or emulate. In the LDS church, we believe the words of the Savior in Matthew 5:48 where he said, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.”

We know that in this life none of us can attain perfection, yet that is our goal, to so worship God that we overcome the natural man, and become men and women of Christ. Speaking of Christ, Paul taught in Hebrews 5:8, “though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.” Christ never sinned, but he moved from grace to grace, increasing his capacity to infinite levels where he could perform His final atoning sacrifice for all mankind.

In another book of scripture that we use in the LDS church called the Doctrine and Covenants, we have a revelation which Joseph Smith received that expanded on the writings of John the Baptist (John 1:19) recorded in John 1 of the New Testament which John the disciple recorded. Here is the segment from the Doctrine and Covenants.

Doctrine and Covenants 93

11 And I, John, bear record that I beheld his glory, as the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, even the Spirit of truth, which came and dwelt in the flesh, and dwelt among us.
12 And I, John, saw that he received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace;
13 And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness;
14 And thus he was called the Son of God, because he received not of the fulness at the first.
15 And I, John, bear record, and lo, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove, and sat upon him, and there came a voice out of heaven saying: This is my beloved Son.
16 And I, John, bear record that he received a fulness of the glory of the Father;
17 And he received all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him.
18 And it shall come to pass, that if you are faithful you shall receive the fulness of the record of John.
19 I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.
20 For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace.

So how do Mormons worship? By obeying God’s commandments and overcoming our weaknesses by the grace of God. By so doing and living, we become perfected in God through his grace, understanding who He is by having become like him (1 John 3:2).

Physical-where we go and what we do

Members of the LDS church attend Sunday meetings for a 3 hour block each week. There are 3 segments to this event.

There is a sacrament meeting which all members attend and partake of the sacrament in remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ’s atonement for us. During this meeting we also hear a few talks/sermons by youth and adults speaking on a topic that has been assigned to them by the Bishopric (the local congregation leaders consisting of a Bishop and 2 counselors).

The remaining couple hours are broken up as follows:

Children 1.5-3 attend nursery where they have simple lessons about the gospel mixed with a lot of play time and typically a snack.

Children 3-12 attend primary classes where there is a singing/sharing time and then a classroom time for their age group.

Youth 12-18 attend Sunday School with their same-age peers, both young women and men, for an hour. Then they split up into groups age 12-13, 14-15, and 16-17 where the young men and women are separate from each other.

Adults attend Sunday School and then also split up by gender to attend Relief Society for the sisters, and Priesthood for the men.

During the month, all members are to be visited by other members. Adult men are asked to be home teachers and in pairs, visit a couple families of the congregation and share a gospel message and ensure their needs are being met. Adult sisters are called visiting teachers and visit the women in the congregation in similar fashion.

Members are expected to pay 10% tithing to the church, as well as fast once a month and donate at least what would have been spent on food for that 24 hour period, to the church for the caring of the poor.

Members also hold callings within the church. To do so they must be full tithe payers and they are not paid for any of this service. The LDS church is a lay ministry.

Understanding how Mormons worship

Feel free to attend a local LDS service, a free visit from the missionaries, or get a free Book of Mormon by following the links above on the right. The best way to find out how Mormons worship is to try it out and see what it’s like.